Most of the eye contact research being done recently is around people telling the truth. And there is substantial research that eye contact communicates caring and interest. For introverts in one to one communications this is a naturally strong asset.

I have good eye contact when listening.

In the medical field and in the professional speaking profession, the statistics bear out that if you want someone to know, feel or see that you are listening to them, then you want to have eye contact with them 60% to 80% of the time. More than this is staring and deceptive. Less than this is lack of sincerity or caring. This may differ in cultures outside of the USA; actually, it does differ to degrees and by gender.

On one side, statistics state that 75% of our stimulation is, you guessed it, through our eyes. It's probably helpful to our energy reserves to increase our eye contact in conversation; it keeps the surrounding activity out of sight.

And the critical point in sales and business is that eye contact when listening is a positive trait.

At the next networking meeting you attend, once you have an extrovert on your radar screen, notice how much eye contact they give you. If they are in this 60% to 80% of the time there's a high degree of likelihood this is a learned trait in their behavior. Remember extroverts are stimulated by surrounding happenings. So their darting eyes may not be as much disinterest in listening but it also can appear that way. As introverts wanting to reserve our energy, we naturally make eye contact one to one and hold it longer.

Regardless of the reason that we behave this way naturally, our tendency to have good eye contact is part of who we are as introverts, and quite sought after in communications!

Patricia Weber

Pat was one of the ground-breaking women in the technical sales of computers. As a successful salesperson and sales manager, she earned numerous awards and recognitions in her company and community. In 1987, in a corporate environment, she was asked to deliver self-leadership training programs to a diverse staff from sales, to administrative, to technicians. The program was so well received that training was soon her primary role as a computer sales manager.

Since 1990, via the self-propelled Professional Strategies, Inc., Pat coaches individuals, facilitates teleclasses and delivers workshops for organizations and associations who want solutions to reduce overwhelm, minimize frustrations and get clarity on a situation. She offers her expertise and experiences in Customer Satisfaction, Sales, Presentations, Improving Employee and Leadership Performance for business, industry and government and Self-Confidence Skills for individuals.

Her information-rich and high-energy coaching repeatedly brings appreciation of thoroughness in preparation and on-target delivery. Clients recognize they get an expert who delivers the right ingredients for high yields on investment of a professional delivery.